ROCK MUSIC MENU: Musicians react to Sterling ban

By
Michael Christopher, Delaware County Daily Times

Thursday, May 1, 2014

The unprecedented move by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life after Sterling was caught on tape making racist remarks sent shockwaves not just through the sports world, but pretty much every other industry imaginable.

Music was no different, and even before Tuesday’s announcement from the league, artists — mainly from the hip-hop genre — were vocal via social media about the release of the tape that caught Sterling making the comments that effectively dug his professional grave.

Rapper Snoop Dogg took to the video app Vine and launched a foul-mouthed tirade directed at Sterling when the tape leaked.

“A message to the (expletive) that owns the Clippers, you (expletive) redneck white bread (expletive) (expletive),” began Snoop in what certainly wasn’t a nursery rhyme, but a pentameter of another kind. (Expletive) you, your mama and everything connected to you, you racist piece of (expletive). (Expletive) you.”

“Sterling, you’re banned from playing “Y.M.C.A.” or any of my music @LAClippers games,” tweeted Victor Willis, original singer of the Village People who has pulled duty as both the cop and the naval officer in the group. “And I mean it! #Clippers #BoycottClippers.”

When Silver made the stunning move, music was unanimous in its support of the decision.

“We have not watched ANYTHING as a group like this since this....the OJ verdict,” wrote Questlove on Instagram, along with a picture of friends with arms raised celebrating the announcement.

“Congrats to #AdamSilver!” tweeted Robert Randolph of the funk and soul collective Robert Randolph and the Family Band. “You’ve done a great job today in yur first BIG move.#bannedforlife!!!!”

Public Enemy’s Chuck D not surprisingly tweeted a request for something positive to come out it by writing, “The NBA & Society should force Sterling to build up the entire Skid Row area with massive affordable housing on his dime. #SmarterThanABan”

Fellow rapper Ice Cube tweeted an interesting reminder of the date on when the ban came down; “April 29th Anniversary of the LA riots. How could you even think about going to see the Clippers or even watching on TV? Power to the people.”

This Donald Sterling thing was good for everyone to face head on,” tweeted indie rockers Wavves. “Glad the @NBAactually served the old white devil some justice.”

To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to rockmusicmenu@hotmail.com. Also, check out his blog at www.delcotimes.com